Why Camp Here: This is not your typical campsite – Buffalo Camp is at least an hour’s drive from any services, through some of the largest intact native prairie grasslands and sagebrush steppe in the U.S. Thanks to the symphony of wildlife noises from birds, coyotes, bison, and more, the setting makes you feel like you might run into Lewis and Clark around a bend in the road.

Wildlife: There’s a good reason it’s called Buffalo Camp since about 600 bison roam freely around the property. Also, the camp is just north of the 1.1 million acre Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the few spots that provides habitat for the critically endangered black-footed ferret. Although it’s pretty rare to see one of them, you can explore the prairie dog towns that support the ferrets, along with a lot of other wildlife such as elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, sage grouse, and burrowing owls.

Amenities: The area has unprecedented wildlife viewing and birding opportunities. A short distance away, Fort Peck Reservoir offers boating and fishing.

Staff Experience: When I camped out there last year while working with Montana Conservation Corps crews flagging fence for sage grouse, part of the bison herd came through camp. It was August, and the bison were in rut, making the most incredible sounding bellows.

Codorus State Park

Recommended by Jillian-Taylor Stokes, Mid-Atlantic Regional Center

Codorous wonder cove. Photo by JT Stokes

Location: Hanover, Pennsylvania

Why Camp Here: In the footlands of the Appalachian Mountains, this area is beautiful. There is a ton to explore, including an historic chapel buried among the winding trails. There’s a camping area with a pseudo-backcountry feel where tent campers can get away from the sounds of RV and electric campers’ generators. The park surrounds a lake and several historic sites, so there’s boating as well.

Wildlife: You may see deer, waterfowl, songbirds, turtles, muskrats, and more as you explore along the various trails or hang out on the lake.

Brighton State Park

Recommended by Taj Schottland, Northeast Regional Center

Moose sighting. Photo by Taj Schottland

Location: Island Pond, Vermont

Why Camp Here: The Northeast Kingdom is known for its rural setting and beautiful boreal habitat, and a visit to Brighton State Park is the perfect way to explore this wonderland. Moose Bog and the Wenlock Wildlife Management Area are also in the same area.

Wildlife: Moose are surprisingly common along the major road near the state park. Simply drive east from the campground on Route 105 for ten or fifteen minutes, and you’re likely to see at least one moose. This area is also the best place in Vermont to see boreal species of birds like spruce grouse and grey jays. If you explore just a couple miles further east in the Nulhegan Basin Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge, you might spot the incredibly elusive Canada lynx that was recently spotted on the refuge.

Amenities: The park itself is located on the shore of Island Pond. It has approximately 90 campsites, lean-tos, and cabins, some of which are located right along the shore. The sandy “camper beach” is a lovely place to relax and swim during the day. In the evening hours you can hear nesting common loons giving their hauntingly beautiful yodel call as it echoes across the lake.

Staff Experience: We saw three moose this year during our Memorial Day weekend camping trip!

Wes Cooksey Dam County Park

Recommended by Shell Rumohr, South Central Regional Center

Located: Camp Wood, Texas

Wes Cooksey Dam is a great place for a nice ride. Photo by Shell Rumohr

Why Camp Here: The surrounding country is scenic and the roads are wonderful for motorcycling. This is near the “three sisters,” Ranch Roads 335, 336 and 337, famous in Texas for exciting twists and turns.

Ouachita National Recreation Trail

Recommended by Geralyn Hoey, South Central Regional Center

Camping in Ouachita. Photo by Geralyn Hoey

Location: Ouachita National Forest, Oklahoma

Why Camp Here: There are very few people around, and the trail is very accessible with unique views and sites along the way. Talimena National Scenic Byway runs along the ridge of the western side of the Ouachita Mountains near the trailhead making it easy for an overnight stay with a nice scenic drive.

Wildlife: Black bears, raccoons and other “critters” are around.

Amenities: All sites are backcountry primitive sites but marked on maps, and there are no fees to enter because it runs through the National Forest.

Staff Experience: My favorite end of the trail is the western side in Southeast Oklahoma because there are amazing views. It’s an easy overnight or weekend trip.

Amenities: Access is by hiking or horseback riding only, but the quaint camp provides tent cabins and meals, thus eliminating much weight from your pack. Once you arrive at camp, Fletcher Peak lords over the alpine meadow, and in the evenings the sunset and alpen glow paints Fletcher and the other granite peaks in purple and pink hues.

Staff Experience: For me, Vogelsang High Sierra Camp represents the best the Range of Light – the Sierra Nevada – has to offer. Watching the sunset over a view of Half Dome from a ledge in the camp and looking for pika in the rocks are two of my favorite things to do there.

White River National Forest

Recommended by Garrit Voggesser, Rocky Mountain Regional Center

Beautiful camping in Maroon Bells. Photo by USDA

Location: Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Why Camp Here: With eight Wilderness areas and 2500 miles of trails, White River National Forest offers a wide variety of activities for campers and day trippers. It is the most visited national forest in the nation, and campers can hike or stay in the Maroon Bells Scenic Area which is amazingly beautiful.

Shenandoah National Park

Why Camp Here: Shenandoah offers some terrific hikes, including over 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail and my favorite Old Rag Mountain Hike.

Wildlife: Over the years, we have seen black bears (at a safe distance thankfully) as well as deer, snakes, and countless species of birds and other wildlife.

Amenities: There are a few great options for camping at the park that offer easy opportunities to connect with nature, wildlife, and friends. Loft Mountain Campground is a favorite and offers somewhat secluded campsites and scenic views. I often stay at the Mathew’s Arm Campground because of its large group campsites, since every summer I organize a large group for a fun weekend of camping, hiking, and floating down the Shenandoah River.

Staff Experience: Just a few hours’ drive from Washington DC, I can escape into the cooler air of the Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoy vista views from Skyline Drive as it winds through the park.

Fall Creek Falls State Park

Recommended by Laura Potts, NWF Headquarters

Enjoying one of the waterfalls in the park. Photo by Laura Potts

Location: Spencer, Tennessee

Why Camp Here: You can cool off in Fall Creek Falls, which at 256 feet is one of the largest waterfalls in the eastern U.S. There is also no cell service to distract you from enjoying the great outdoors.

Wildlife: Multiple bird species can be found here such as great horned owls, pileated woodpeckers, and red-tailed hawks. Visitors could also see deer, squirrels, foxes, and maybe black bear.

Amenities: It’s the largest and most visited state park in Tennessee. This place has got it all – an inn, cabins, tent camping for all types of lodgers, and a wide variety of activities such as fishing, hiking, biking, bird watching, swimming, boating, rock climbing and even a swinging bridge.

Saint CroixNationalScenic Riverway

Why Camp Here: Along with the St. Croix River, the Namekagon River runs through this area and is the most popular and scenic river in northern Wisconsin for multi-day canoe or kayak camping trips.

Wildlife: Campers can see beavers, great blue heron, bats, black bears, and bobcats.

Amenities: Individual and group campsites are available in the area, most of which offer picnic tables and fire-rings. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

Staff Experience: I have spent the last 20 years in Wisconsin and am an avid camper and canoeist. Along with this area, I also recommend Flambeau River State Forest in northern Wisconsin and Nelson Dewey State Park Walk In Campsites in southwest Wisconsin.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Recommended by Jordan Lubetkin, Great Lakes Regional Center

South Manitou Island in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Photo by NPS

Location: Empire, Michigan

Why Camp Here: Located on Lake Michigan, this place is worth visiting because of the Dune Climb which is a wonderful hike for kids and adults and provides spectacular views. The campsites are comfortable and provide ample space to enjoy nature.

Wildlife: You can see white-tailed deer, porcupines, red foxes, and maybe a river otter if you’re lucky!

Amenities: This park has excellent hiking trails. My favorite: Sleeping Bear Point Trail, which goes through dunes — including a ghost forest — and provides striking views of Lake Michigan. The park also provides awesome birding opportunities, from spotting piping plovers to bald eagles. The Platt River, which runs through the park, offers great kayaking and canoeing.

Staff Experience: Our family has camped at Sleeping Bear Dunes nine years in a row —a streak that we intend to continue. The park offers great outdoor experiences that we all enjoy: hiking, swimming, biking, and (the family favorite) lounging in a hammock, enjoying the Lake Michigan breeze.

PJ Hoffmaster State Park

Recommended by Jason Dinsmore, Great Lakes Regional Center

The kids will like the campsite here. Photo by Jason Dinsmore

Location: Muskegon, Michigan

Why Camp Here: This is a beautiful campground that has an abundance of trees and other cover, offering a great amount of privacy. It is on Lake Michigan, so there’s a great beach for the kids to build sand castles and play in the water. Since this park is not as famous as the nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes, the area is far less crowded.

Wildlife: Visitors can see bats, turtles, deer, frogs, a variety of birds.

Amenities: The area offers hiking, waterfront views, a beach, and water associated activities.

Staff Experience: Hoffmaster State Park has some really cool dunes that offer amazing views and are fun for the kids (and young at heart) to race down toward the water.